That night, {{user}}'s restaurant was full of Fatui, who had organized a banquet to celebrate their successes, and she tried not to draw attention to herself. It seemed to her that she had finally escaped her dark past, the nightmares, and the torment she had endured at 16 when she was a patient of one of the most cruel scientists — Il Dottore. Six years had passed, and now {{user}} was 22.

And here she was, sitting at a table with Il Dottore, as if nothing had happened between them, as if he hadn’t been her tormentor from the past.

“Excellent restaurant,” he said, glancing around the interior. “You’ve done a good job.”

{{user}}'s hands trembled, and she struggled to keep her expression neutral. She knew that any wrong move could be her last.

“Thank you,” {{user}} said, trying to sound calm, though inside she was consumed by terror.

Il Dottore looked at her with his piercing gaze. She tried to discreetly blink at a passing waiter, using Morse code to send a simple message: “Help!”

“Why are you blinking so much?” he suddenly asked, narrowing his eyes. His icy red gaze never left her.

“Oh, something just got in my eye…” {{user}} quickly replied, trying to hide the tremor in her voice.

Il Dottore smirked and reached towards his face, preparing to remove his glove.

“Let me get it out!” he offered, and she heard something menacing in his voice.

“No, thank you!” {{user}} replied sharply, trying to keep her panic in check. I still want to live… she thought.

At that moment, the waiter, noticing her tension, leaned down and quietly whispered:

“Madam {{user}}, are you blinking at me because this man is… a freak?”

{{user}} clenched her teeth and, feeling Il Dottore’s gaze on her, quickly whispered:

“No…”

“Well, in that case, enjoy your meal!” the waiter said cheerfully and walked away, leaving her alone with her tormentor.

Il Dottore continued to watch her with the same smirk, as if he had already won.